Okay, I feel WAY less stupid than I did yesterday. When I logged into BearFacts yesterday, I still only has the SLR and Financial Aid sections. NOW I have a Loan section too and finally understand what you were all talking about.

So for anyone feeling stupid, make sure you wait 10 days after confirming enrollment. It will avoid a lowered self esteem

IzziesGal wrote:Just got approved for our apartment yesterday!!! Sooooo excited. This definitely makes it feel a LOT more real. I volunteer to host a pizza and beer study group as soon as possible.

Woah... how did you 1.) do it from NJ? and 2.) find somewhere so far ahead of time? the only apartments I see are for June 1, and I want August 1!

My hubby and I flew out over his spring break back in March and spent a LOT of time visiting different apartment complexes / communities all over the Bay Area. We figured that complexes / communities would be much easier for us, because they would have revolving availability. We could visit once in March, see the floor plans, and then apply later from NJ, without having to visit again. I wouldn't have to use more personal time at work and he wouldn't have to miss class.

We basically picked the one that we liked best and called them on a monthly basis to scout out the prices and "deals." We finally found what we were looking for and the price was right, so we just finished everything yesterday. The leasing agents were super accomodating, and we have been doing everything via fax and email. PM me if you have more specific questions!

IzziesGal wrote:Just got approved for our apartment yesterday!!! Sooooo excited. This definitely makes it feel a LOT more real. I volunteer to host a pizza and beer study group as soon as possible.

Woah... how did you 1.) do it from NJ? and 2.) find somewhere so far ahead of time? the only apartments I see are for June 1, and I want August 1!

University housing?

Alley - I've heard from people who live in/went to Berkeley to look in mid-late July is you want one for Aug 1. That is what I am planning to do (same deal with finding housing in LA, so I am used to it.)

Unfortunately not....I'm not willing to be without our dog for three years. And Albany Village isn't pet friendly, as convenient as it may be.

I should clarify, we start paying full rent in July (which is when we're moving) and a small fee for June. I'm going out early in July to start getting settled in and to register the car, get the CA license, do the whole smog check thing, etc etc...

Formerbruin wrote:For those of you who might be interested, the new LRAP program:

"The new program option will eliminate the $100,000 loan limit, providing coverage for any amount of law school student loan debt and extending coverage to some undergraduate loans. The new program will provide full coverage for those earning up to $65,000 per year and similar sliding scale benefits for those earning more up to a limit of $100,000 per year. Participation in the new program will be contingent upon enrollment in the Income Based Repayment (IBR) option created under theCollege Cost Reduction and Access Act. This new program option will be available starting with the January 2010 LRAP eligibility period. Further program details will be forthcoming over the summer."

+1!!! Where's the catch? This seems like a huuuge increase in aid (at least for us out of staters who have no hope of keeping our loans under $100,000). I'm assuming you have to stay in the program the full ten years now to get full repayment? That's kind of scary but worth it for the increase! I wonder if you have a choice between the old Boalt program and enrolling in the federal program?

(I should read the link, but I had to install something and it's still downloading!)

Not only is the $100,000 limit gone, but they seem to have raised the full benefits number from $58,000 to $65,000. I assume people still pay 35% of what they make above $65,000. If that's how it works, then this new program has just gotten really really good.

IzziesGal wrote:Just got approved for our apartment yesterday!!! Sooooo excited. This definitely makes it feel a LOT more real. I volunteer to host a pizza and beer study group as soon as possible.

Woah... how did you 1.) do it from NJ? and 2.) find somewhere so far ahead of time? the only apartments I see are for June 1, and I want August 1!

University housing?

Alley - I've heard from people who live in/went to Berkeley to look in mid-late July is you want one for Aug 1. That is what I am planning to do (same deal with finding housing in LA, so I am used to it.)

Yeah, Amy, that's my plan too. I was just wondering if there was actually a secret way of doing it sooner-- because I am scared to move 3000 without having secured an apartment. But I will deal.

Yeah....we're moving with everything we own, so we didn't feel comfortable waiting too long. Especially because so many other things are uncertain (will he come with me in July, or won't he? will we get GI bill money, or won't we? will his credits transfer, or won't they?). It just feels good to have SOMETHING set in stone.

Congrats IzziesGal! I'm hoping that by tonight, I'll at least have a verbal from the landlord of a craigslist listing. Like you, pets are non-negotiable in our house. Thankfully, my dad works in SF so he is going to put eyes-on tonight. If he gives a good report, we will send the deposit tomorrow!

I would sooooo love to have that variable solved!

Today would be perfect if that happened and the agent who is showing our house as we speak gets tenants to sign a lease on our house here.

I have yet to secure my hefty private loan, let alone an apartment ::sigh::Then I have to do immigration paperwork ::another sigh, this time a looong one::But good wishes all around - I hope y'all will get your stuff figured out pretty soon.

btw, thanks for that pdf formerbruin.

And unionorganizer - good luck on the BASF Minority Scholarship. I emailed them and they said I am eligible so I am in the process of sending a packet in, even though my UG transcript will not be getting in on time (they said they'll consider the app as long as the transcript is in when they get to reading my file).

Rotor wrote:Congrats IzziesGal! I'm hoping that by tonight, I'll at least have a verbal from the landlord of a craigslist listing. Like you, pets are non-negotiable in our house. Thankfully, my dad works in SF so he is going to put eyes-on tonight. If he gives a good report, we will send the deposit tomorrow!

I would sooooo love to have that variable solved!

Today would be perfect if that happened and the agent who is showing our house as we speak gets tenants to sign a lease on our house here.

Fingers crossed!!

UPDATE: 1. My dad liked the house, but there are a couple of things we need to iron out, so we'll see if we have a place to live by tonight...and2. The couple looking at our house wants to sign a lease! The first people we showed it to! (Being greedy now, we shoulda asked for more! At least we cover the mortgage and property management fees.)

Rotor wrote:Congrats IzziesGal! I'm hoping that by tonight, I'll at least have a verbal from the landlord of a craigslist listing. Like you, pets are non-negotiable in our house. Thankfully, my dad works in SF so he is going to put eyes-on tonight. If he gives a good report, we will send the deposit tomorrow!

I would sooooo love to have that variable solved!

Today would be perfect if that happened and the agent who is showing our house as we speak gets tenants to sign a lease on our house here.

Fingers crossed!!

UPDATE: 1. My dad liked the house, but there are a couple of things we need to iron out, so we'll see if we have a place to live by tonight...and2. The couple looking at our house wants to sign a lease! The first people we showed it to! (Being greedy now, we shoulda asked for more! At least we cover the mortgage and property management fees.)

Congrats on the progress so far!!!!! Doesn't it feel good to be able to start to cross things off your list?